Where does the ultimate expression of heroism lie?
When the audience saw Mydei go back to Castrum Kremnos and resist the Black Tide, they already had their answer.
All that had happened in the past echoed in their minds, and what surged forth was an extremely complex emotion.
This scene was clearly cool.
Mydei seated upon the throne, appearing invincible. Yet the audience knew exactly how many tales of blood and tears lay behind that figure.
Mydei's childhood was only briefly mentioned. Even without detailed depiction, the audience needed only the simplest imagination to feel the suffocating weight of it.
A single person.
From childhood, he fought against fate, against injustice, against everything. Yet his heart still held great love.
His love for his people made it impossible for him to accept letting them once again be washed away by conflict, returning to their kingdom only to be surrounded by darkness.
His great love for Amphoreus likewise prevented him from continuing to flee, instead driving him to face the Black Tide alone.
His people, his responsibility, his duty to Amphoreus. This man took everything upon himself.
He let no one else make the sacrifice.
The only price was himself. But to Mydei, even that price was hardly a price at all.
The camera gradually pulled away. The cheers and hymns slowly fell into silence.
Only the ever-increasing Black Tide from all directions, and the figure on the throne, remained in the frame.
The weight of that silence struck the audience's hearts more deeply than any clamor of battle. Mydei as a character was completed in this moment, reaching his final highlight.
And after all the twists and turns, what remained in the audience's hearts was only the image of a solitary, tragic hero.
...
: … A salute to Mydei!
: I didn't expect Mydei's final scene to be that of a king in a solitary city.
: So handsome and so moving.
: One man for one city, for Mydei, this must already be the best ending.
: Sob, sob...
: Mydei is truly too kind.
: I suddenly want to say so much, but thinking about the complexity of Mydei's story, a simple sentence isn't enough to describe how I feel right now!
: The character writing is beyond criticism.
: So many layers of imagery, true poetry.
: This is only the second episode!
: If it keeps developing at this pace, I can't even imagine how terrifying it'll be when Amphoreus ends.
: There are still so many Chrysos Heirs left undescribed.
: The current Amphoreus is unbeatable!
: The handling of tragedy is incredibly delicate, miHoYo is terrifying.
: It should clearly count as a good ending, but it still leaves this lingering sense of melancholy. I don't know why.
...
The audience's emotions flowed through the comments.
For them, the dramatic tension was displayed to its fullest at this moment. Just a single scene was enough to spark endless associations in their minds.
This was probably the charm of a series.
At the same time, the audience felt a trace of melancholy.
Mydei achieved his wish, not only ascending to godhood, but also not dying.
As the comments said, it could indeed be considered a good ending.
Yet they still felt uneasy. Because for Mydei, he would battle the Black Tide without end, until the arrival of Re-Creation.
In comparison, it was somewhat like Sisyphus eternally pushing his boulder, or Prometheus having his organs endlessly devoured.
It was precisely this feeling that led some knowledgeable viewers to sigh, miHoYo truly understood the core of Greek mythology.
Mydei resolved the problem fate gave him, yet became trapped in another form of fate.
Re-genesis… The audience did not know when it would come. Nor did they know how long Mydei would have to endure alone.
At this moment, the episode was nearing its end.
But there was still a short segment left. The audience suppressed the emotions Mydei had stirred within them and continued watching.
...
Within the city of Okhema, a simple funeral was being held. Present were the Chrysos Heirs, along with Stelle and Dan Heng.
Lady Trianne... Why did it have to end up like this?"
Castorice stood before Trianne's stuffed doll and spoke with a trace of sorrow.
"Take it easy, Cas. Departure is a part of life. It's just that ours isn't as tumultuous as it is for ordinary folks."
Tribbie standing next to Castorice comforted her.
Trinnon added softly, "When we started our journey, Janus had already provided their prophecy. Just like how that Titan divided themself to create the countless passages in the world..."
"It's only natural for us to follow the same path since we inherited their destiny."
Aglaea remained silent, as if she had long been mentally prepared for something like this.
Stelle and Dan Heng placed their hands over their chests and lowered their heads slightly in silent mourning.
Among everyone present, only Phainon continued staring at Trianne's doll and drew in a breath.
His emotions were extremely complicated. There was sorrow for the departure of someone familiar. But also a greater sense of confusion and incomprehension.
Tribbie and Trinnon, two who were clearly one body with Trianne, sharing multiple souls, should have been the ones suffering the most at this moment.
Yet why… did they seem more able than anyone else to accept Trianne's departure, and at the same time remain unwavering on the path toward the prophecy?
Phainon could not understand. From beginning to end, he had only one goal, to defeat the Flame Reaver.
Not to join the prophecy and embark on the Flamechase Journey.
To be honest, he had never truly examined his own path.
Other people's expectations. Aglaea's expectations. Tribbie's guidance. He had always been unable to resist the expectations and wishes of others …
But what about himself?
Now, with Mydei ascending to godhood and Trianne gone, Phainon felt a deep confusion.
He asked himself, if placed in Trianne's or Mydei's position, would he truly have the courage to take that step and sacrifice everything for such great love?
As a member of the Chrysos Heirs, only Phainon harbored such thoughts.
At times lacking confidence, at times resolute. Contradictory emotions tangled and intertwined within him.
"If you don't mind, Tribbie..."
"Are you still willing to unveil that past for us? The past regarding the "prophecy.""
"What I want to know is, as Amphoreus' first demigod, what compelled you to take the first step on this journey?"
"What has sustained you to make it this far without looking back, despite the fracturing of your body and the numerous departures you have endured?"
Phainon placed his right hand over his chest, speaking sincerely yet with confusion.
And the thoughts he had just pondered in his heart were conveyed to the audience through his monologue.
The audience could see the confusion in Phainon's eyes.
.....
: Phainon is probably the Chrysos Heir who least resembles a Chrysos Heir.
: Yeah. From the very first episode, he felt like a very pure, very simple boy.
: Sss… The other Chrysos Heirs all feel like born heroes.
: Only in Phainon can you see thoughts that ordinary people would have, like lacking confidence. But once he accepts others' expectations, he'll desperately push himself to live up to them.
: Right. Back in the Temple of Three Fate, Phainon showed that once he accepted a mission, he immediately possessed incredibly decisive leadership and judgment.
: But in daily life, he often falls into this kind of self-doubt.
: It's probably because he saw Mydei's choice and Trianne's death… He's likely worried that, if it were him, he wouldn't have the courage to go that far.
: Yeah. At the very beginning, Phainon's wish was simply to return to the countryside, back to that carefree hometown.
: Sigh…
...
The comments flooded past. The audience discussed the simple, unadorned qualities in Phainon.
Some had already vaguely sensed a deeper cause. That he lacked a sense of self, living for others.
On screen, Tribbie and Trinnon exchanged a glance.
Tribbie suddenly smiled and said, "...Alright."
"De is already doing what he has to do... What reason do we have to keep it from you guys? Let's go, everyone..."
Trinnon spoke the next sentence, "Let's go to the Abyss of Fate and see how it used to be."
Aglaea looked at her teacher for a moment and nodded in agreement.
But for safety, Aglaea still hoped that Stelle would go with Phainon.
After all, both Stelle and Phainon were very strong in combat.
Unless the Flame Reaver returned from the dead, even if they encountered a Titan, they would still have the power to fight.
Moreover, they were going to the Abyss of Fate, which was in ruins.
Some places required the divine authority of Oronyx.
As the only person in Amphoreus who could currently wield the power of Time, Stelle had to go as well.
Stelle did not refuse. She also wanted to explore this world.
If this journey could help her uncover more secrets, she would be able to analyze even more when the time came.
The group parted ways once again.
Stelle, Phainon, and Trinnon, the three of them returned together to the Temple of the three Fates.
They passed through unimpeded all the way to the depths of the temple, where gray mist still concealed Oronyx's figure.
Trinnon spoke, "Stelle, I'll leave it to you."
"It's time to witness our last conversation with Oronyx."
As her words fell, Stelle stepped forward and Mem also appeared.
The power of Time activated. Using Trinnon as the medium, Mem quickly locked onto the crucial moment within the long river of time.
In the next second, a crystalline ripple spread outward.
Before their eyes appeared a young girl.
She had red hair, wore priestess robes, sandals on her feet, and stood upon a platform, speaking toward the gray mist.
"Tri... bios...?"
Stelle blinked, then looked down at Trinnon below her.
This little one and the beautiful young girl looked somewhat alike, but more like a mother and child.
"That was us."
"A long time ago, before we became like this."
Trinnon explained, staring unblinkingly at that figure.
At that moment, the conversation from the past finally became clear to everyone's ears.
"You're here, Oronyx."
Tribios clasped her hands together, speaking devoutly.
"You still... consume yourself... for that false prophecy." Oronyx's ethereal voice drifted out from the mist.
""False prophecy," huh? So you still think that way."
A faint bitter smile appeared on Tribios's face.
"Even if Kephale has fallen... they would never guide humans to kill their own comrades."
Oronyx's tone carried absolute certainty. "Stop while you still can. Tribios... Spreading the prophecy will only kindle disaster. That disaster... will tear you into a thousand pieces."
Kephale was the Worldbearing Titan, one of the strongest Titans.
And now, Oronyx was certain that the Prophecy calling had not been issued by Kephale?
There was something wrong with the Prophecy?! The audience was utterly shocked.
They hadn't expected to hear such a stunning secret right at the start.
If Oronyx had always believed this, then its earlier refusal to cooperate seemed understandable.
But if the Prophecy was false, then… how were these gradually fulfilled events happening?
After the shock, an even deeper confusion rose in the audience's minds.
On screen, hearing Oronyx's words, Tribios pressed her lips together and said,
"But the black tide has already arrived, and Janus remains in slumber. If even the god of passages, known for guiding mortals, cannot resist this catastrophe, then what can we do against the incoming destruction?"
Oronyx did not directly answer. It only urged, "Do not... get involved with the Coreflames. If you do that... You can still remain chosen by fate."
A bitter smile curved Tribios's lips. "Those chosen by fate would never have their family taken from them."
"And how can I alone remain safe and secure, while watching the entire world crumble before my eyes?"
After saying that, she shook her head.
"This might be our last conversation, Oronyx. I will do everything I can... to protect you from the black tide."
Although Oronyx still refused to give her guidance, Tribios still hoped that this gentle Titan could survive in this world of strife.
The memory ended there. But it was enough.
At this moment, the audience could confirm with absolute certainty, there was definitely something wrong with the Prophecy.